By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday re-emphasized the need for Ijaw leaders and the people of the Niger Delta to work with the government, in making the region stable and peaceful to attract investments, while pursuing their collective interests.

Governor Dickson made the assertion, when he received the new Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Apouchi Suleiman in Yenagoa.

Restating his administration’s commitment to the policy of zero tolerance on criminality, he said investments in the state in the area of infrastructure and development would be in vain in an atmosphere devoid of peace and security.

His words: “You are aware of the fact that Bayelsa, which is your headquarters, Bayelsa, is the epicenter of the Niger Delta. But because of the posture of our government and the steps we have taken and the collaborations we have fostered and the willingness of the citizenry to collaborate with us and the hard work that the security agencies are doing, remains the safest and the most stable state in the Niger Delta.

“That achievement did not fall from the sky; it was as a result of the combined efforts of all of you and what the state government is doing. I use this opportunity to assure you that the success of Operation Delta Safe is the success of our state and our government.

“This government abhors piracy, we condemn criminality in all forms that it rears its ugly head.”

Dickson expressed the state government’s preparedness to partner with Operation Delta Safe, and other security apparatus to flush out criminals.